Citizen Saves Victim Of Violent Crime With 'Heroic Act'

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Mayor Tom Hayes admitted at a recent Arlington Heights Village Board meeting that the Village doesn't give out a lot of Good Samaritan awards. It takes a very special citizen and act to receive such an honor. Kyla Davis, of Skokie, is one such person as evidenced by her recent act of heroism.

During the morning of Aug. 27, Davis was driving through a parking lot near the intersection of Goebbert and Algonquin roads when a woman was attempting to get into her car and was confronted by a man, who was brandishing a knife. According to the proclamation read by Hayes at the Sept. 8 board meeting, Davis heard the woman scream and called 911. She saw the man put the knife to the woman's neck and force her into his SUV.

The woman was able to escape from the SUV and began running toward Davis with the man giving chase. Davis let the woman into her car and locked the door. At this time, the man attempted to open the door before Davis was able to drive away and create distance and safety for the woman.

"Kyla continued to talk to the 911 operator while driving west on Algonquin Road. She noticed the offender was following from a distance," Hayes said. "Kyla then navigated the intersection of Algonquin and Arlington Heights roads. She followed the dispatcher's instructions to drive toward the Arlington Heights Police Station with her hazard lights activated."

The man then struck two other vehicles and discontinued his pursuit of Davis and the woman. Police intercepted Davis a short time later and the woman told the officer that she was in fear for her life. The man had told the woman he was going to kill her and then himself. According to Hayes, the man did end up committing suicide shortly after the two hit-and-run collisions.

"Police concluded that the victim would not have survived the encounter that morning if it were not for the swift and decisive actions of Ms. Kyla Davis," Hayes said. "Kyla's willingness to get involved by coming to the immediate aid of a fellow citizen in crisis exemplifies the definition of Good Samaritan."

The Arlington Heights Police Department Chief's Meritorious Service Award was presented to Davis by Police Chief Nick Pecora. Davis, who was in attendance with her parents and boyfriend, also received a newly minted village coin, the first one awarded by the Village.

"This is not just a good story, but a great story. Who knows what any of us would have done in your situation, but you acted and you saved somebody's life, and we can't thank you enough for your heroic efforts on that day," Hayes said.